Transcription
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [dih-fahy-ning]
- /dɪˈfaɪ nɪŋ/
- /dɪˈfaɪn/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [dih-fahy-ning]
- /dɪˈfaɪ nɪŋ/
Definitions of defining word
- adjective defining decisive; critically important: Taking a course in architecture was a defining turn in her life. 1
- verb with object defining to state or set forth the meaning of (a word, phrase, etc.): They disagreed on how to define “liberal.”. 1
- verb with object defining to explain or identify the nature or essential qualities of; describe: to define judicial functions. 1
- verb with object defining to fix or lay down clearly and definitely; specify distinctly: to define one's responsibilities. Synonyms: state, name, describe, detail, enumerate. 1
- verb with object defining to determine or fix the boundaries or extent of: to define property with stakes. 1
- verb with object defining to make clear the outline or form of: The roof was boldly defined against the sky. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of defining
First appearance:
before 1325 One of the 16% oldest English words
1325-75; Middle English def(f)inen < Anglo-French, Old French definer to put an end to < Latin dēfīnīre to limit, define, equivalent to dē- de- + fīnīre; see finish
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Defining
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
defining popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 87% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.
defining usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for defining
adjective defining
- keynote — Music. the note or tone on which a key or system of tones is founded; the tonic.
- determining — having the quality of deciding
- representing — to serve to express, designate, stand for, or denote, as a word, symbol, or the like does; symbolize: In this painting the cat represents evil and the bird, good.
- climacteric — a critical event or period
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with d
- Words starting with de
- Words starting with def
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- Words starting with defini
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- Words starting with defining